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Validity Finance Expands to Washington, D.C., Bringing Aboard International Disputes Litigator Nicole Silver from Greenberg Traurig

April 21, 2022

Validity Finance Expands to Washington, D.C., Bringing Aboard International Disputes Litigator Nicole Silver from Greenberg Traurig

Leading litigation funder Validity Finance announced it has expanded to Washington, DC, adding prominent international disputes lawyer Nicole Silver as investment manager. She was previously a shareholder with Greenberg Traurig in Washington, representing governments and corporate clients in international arbitration proceedings, as well as in complex civil litigation, white-collar defense and internal investigations.

Further burnishing its DC bona fides, Validity added renowned Washington litigator and law firm leader Bert Rein as a senior advisor. One of the country’s top antitrust and commercial litigators, Mr. Rein is founding partner of national law firm Wiley Rein and an expert on international law. He’s been recognized as Washington’s “leading food and drug lawyer” and a “visionary” by American Lawyer. In his new advisory role, he’ll assist Validity in furthering connections with major law firms and potential clients.

Validity’s Washington presence adds to the firm’s existing U.S. offices in New York, Houston and Chicago, along with operations in Tel Aviv.

“Washington adds an important piece to our growth strategy, both as a business and technology hub that includes Northern Virginia and Maryland and for its proximity to federal courts, government enforcement agencies and especially key venues for international disputes,” said Validity CEO Ralph Sutton. That includes ICSID, the World Bank unit that oversees cross-border investor disputes. Mr. Sutton brings his own acumen in cross-border disputes, having helped draft the ICCA-Queen Mary guidelines for funding international arbitration in 2018.

“We’re excited to enter the DC market with Nicole Silver, who has counseled sovereign governments and private parties in high-stakes international arbitration proceedings, including many matters before ICSID and the Permanent Court of Arbitration,” Mr. Sutton added; he noted that Ms. Silver, who has particular experience in Latin America, has handled disputes in such sectors as energy, telecom, infrastructure and natural resources. “Nicole’s success directing complex, often yearslong disputes involving hundreds of millions of dollars in claims will be instrumental in helping lead due diligence and case assessment on our growing book of arbitration financings.”

Ms. Silver has consistently been ranked among Latinnvex’s “Top 100 Female Lawyers” and names one of Latin Lawyer’s top choices for arbitration. Admitted to practice in New York and the District of Columbia, she served as director of the Programming, Investment and Finance Committee of the D.C. Bar (2017-18). She received her J.D. from Vanderbilt and holds an A.B. from Princeton.

Speaking of Validity’s newest senior advisor, Mr. Sutton said, “Bert Rein is a legend in Washington legal circles, having turned Wiley Rein into a national litigation powerhouse across many areas of practice including bankruptcy, employment, insurance defense, intellectual property and others. Bert’s own success is exemplary, including his extensive work in international disputes. Having him join our advisory team will help us advance Validity’s visibility in Washington through his peerless connections and experience in high-stakes litigation.”

Mr. Rein’s career began as a law clerk to former Supreme Court Justice John M. Harlan, after which he held various roles in the Department of State and served as director of the Chamber of Commerce and as a litigator at Kirkland & Ellis before co-founding Wiley Rein in 1983. About Validity Validity is a commercial litigation finance company that provides non-recourse investments for a wide variety of commercial disputes. Validity’s mission is to make a meaningful difference in our clients’ experience of the legal system. We focus on fairness, innovation, and clarity. For more, visit www.validityfinance.com

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Pravati Capital Partners with SEI to Bring Litigation Finance to Registered Investment Advisors

By John Freund |

One of the oldest litigation finance firms in the United States has announced a strategic partnership aimed at expanding mainstream investor access to the asset class.

As reported by Business Wire via Yahoo Finance, Scottsdale-based Pravati Capital has partnered with financial services firm SEI to provide registered investment advisors with structured access to litigation finance as an alternative investment option. The collaboration will leverage SEI's distribution platform to make litigation funding opportunities available within advisor portfolios.

The partnership reflects growing institutional interest in litigation finance as an alternative asset class. Historically, litigation funding has been difficult for mainstream financial advisors to access on behalf of their clients, with the market largely dominated by specialized funds and institutional investors. The Pravati-SEI arrangement seeks to bridge that gap by creating a more accessible pathway for advisors seeking diversification through non-correlated investments.

The announcement underscores a broader industry shift as litigation finance continues to move from a niche strategy toward greater acceptance within traditional wealth management channels. As the global litigation funding market grows — projected to reach over $25 billion in 2026 — partnerships like this one may signal a new phase of institutional adoption.

Announcements Commercial

Nera Capital Secures £50M Asset Mandate

By John Freund |

Nera Capital has strengthened its litigation finance platform with the onboarding of a new South America-based funding partner committing £50 million across litigation finance and legal assets. The mandate not only expands Nera’s available capital base but also sees the firm formally appointed as asset manager for the new funds, reinforcing its growing role as both originator and portfolio steward within the UK litigation market.

In a press release, Nera Capital announced that the £50 million commitment will be deployed across a range of UK-based claims, with the firm responsible for underwriting, structuring, capital deployment, and ongoing portfolio management. The capital will be allocated in line with Nera’s established investment criteria and risk management framework, targeting carefully selected legal assets. The funding partner, described as having an “extensive track record” in high-yielding special situations investments uncorrelated to traditional asset classes, brings prior experience in litigation finance across South America.

Robin Grant, CFO at Nera Capital, emphasized that the partnership aligns with the firm’s disciplined approach to litigation finance and enhances its ability to deliver attractive, risk-adjusted returns to investors. Aisling Byrne, Director at Nera Capital, highlighted the funder’s blend of financial and legal expertise, noting that the asset manager appointment reflects international confidence in Nera’s ability to identify viable claims and manage them through to resolution.

Established in 2011 and headquartered in Dublin, with offices in Manchester and Holland, Nera Capital provides law firm lending across consumer and commercial claim portfolios and is a member of the European Litigation Funders Association.

Announcements Commercial

Longford Capital Doubles Down to Support American Innovation

By John Freund |

Longford Capital Management, LP today announced that it has launched the Longford Capital American Innovation Initiative to help American inventors protect their legal rights, access the U.S. legal system, and advance American innovation.

America is the greatest country in the world and Americans are achieving advancements in every facet of our lives, including healthcare, artificial intelligence, clean energy, technology, aerospace, cybersecurity, transportation, wireless communications, and many others. Intellectual property is critical to American exceptionalism and national security. American inventors are systematically the victims of intellectual property theft at the hands of foreign and domestic bad actors. Well-financed multi-national corporations steal the innovations of small and medium size American companies leaving them will little options to protect their legal rights in the expensive U.S. legal system. For more than a decade, Longford has been supporting American inventors, investing approximately $500 million to support nearly 100 intellectual property owners trying to defend their assets. These efforts have resulted in recoveries of more than $1.5 billion from patent infringers.

Take, for example, Malcolm Beyer, Jr., a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, retired Captain in the U.S. Marines, and small business owner. His company developed a communication system that increases safety and operational effectiveness for the U.S. military, law enforcement, and first responders. When his patented technology was infringed by foreign companies, he didn’t have the money to defend his legal rights in court. He turned to Longford Capital. Longford provided millions of dollars to pay his legal fees, which allowed Mr. Beyer to successfully defend his legal rights and protect his innovation. Without access to litigation finance, Malcolm Beyer’s company would not have survived.

Today, we are ramping up our efforts to support our country, American inventors, small and medium size businesses, and the advancement of American exceptionalism. The ability to protect innovation through the patent system and the U.S. legal system is essential to attract investment and encourage the best and brightest Americans to dedicate their careers to improving our lives. Longford’s funding empowers American innovation and makes America stronger. Members of Longford’s legal team are perennially recognized as leading IP strategists with an established record of developing and implementing world-class IP value creation programs for American companies.

About Longford Capital

Longford Capital is a leading private investment company that provides capital to leading law firms, public and private companies, research universities, government agencies, and other entities involved in large-scale, commercial legal disputes. Longford was one of the first litigation funds in the United States and is among the world’s largest litigation finance companies with more than $1.2 billion in assets under management. Typically, Longford funds attorneys’ fees and other costs necessary to pursue meritorious legal claims in return for a share of a favorable settlement or award. The firm manages a diversified portfolio, and considers investments in subject matter areas where it has developed considerable expertise, including, business-to-business contract claims, antitrust and trade regulation claims, intellectual property claims (including patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret), fiduciary duty claims, fraud claims, claims in bankruptcy and liquidation, domestic and international arbitrations, claim monetization, insurance matters, and a variety of others.